Monday Night Lights

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

Gary Kubiak and Eric Taylor have a lot in common. They are both coaches that know how to inspire players to reach the next level. There is such a high school team spirit on this year's Texans squad that nose tackle Shaun Cody came up with the idea of team Letterman jackets and it caught on like wildfire.

“I used to say before the season it feels like we’re on a college team,” Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin said. “Everybody gets along, we have so much fun. And this jacket, you feel like you’re on a high school team where it’s all about winning, it’s all about being around a group of guys. This jacket is just another symbol of that. There’s no names on it. You just have your number, your position group and the Texans logo.”

They plan on wearing them on the team flight to the Monday Night Football match-up against the dreaded New England Patriots. The idea is to show team unity and spirit just like in the high school glory days they can all remember. I wouldn't be surprised if they show up at the airport in an HISD bus. 

Barwin said "We have a dress code. Everybody's going to wear them on the plane, on the trip to New England, on the bus. [I'm] pushing for khaki pants, white shirt, blue tie, jacket, so it looks like we're about to get on a yellow bus with shoulder pads in our hands. We've got a great group of guys. Anything that represents the camaraderie of this team, guys are excited about, and that's exactly what the jacket does."

Momentum is on the Texans side at 11-1 and they plan on adding a few more patches on their new swag. “The plan is we’re gonna get the AFC South banner put on the sleeve from last year,” Barwin said. “If we take care of business this week and this season we’ll get the 2012 AFC Championship one. Super Bowl. Kind of build a tradition the longer you’re here the more patches you get on your jacket.”

UPDATE: Apparently the jackets don't do Jack. Pats slaughtered the Texans.